It does require training and endurance, but i agree not to the same degree. However, although technology plays a big part, the skill is as much as any sport, IMO.

So you're telling me formula 1 requires the same amout of skill as a tennis player? That's wrong for a start.

To become a top, top professional tennis player you need to start at, I would say, 6 at the latest in most cases. Formula 1 obviously doesn't require anything like that dedication. The skill needed in formula 1 doesn't even compare to the skill required to be a top footballer or tennis player.

Ok then eliminate all fringe sports.. first how do we qualify a sport.. ? fishing is a sport and unarguably the largest paticipation sport in the country, if not the world, by your argument Yamor, the only logical winner must be drawn from fishing..

To be a successful F1 driver you typically need to spend most of your time racing at a very young age. What's your point?

It's not the same thing. Tennis is the same sport always. You are transitioning from one form of racing to another when you actually start with F1. Much of it may be the same, but there's undoubtedly a difference.

The drivers in F1 are still very skilled, in terms of handling pressure and reaction - I feel it is something you can't hone.

I totally agree with you though, a cyclist is on their own, a Minardi/Toro Rosso/Mickey Mouse Team driver could probably contend an F1 championship if they were driving a McLaren, Ferrari etc.

Villenueve (Jacques) and Hamilton finished second in their debut F1 years, just because they were driving superior cars (Williams and McLaren respectively)

I don't think holding one's nerve can be classed as a skill, though. It's not a physical attribute.

I just think people who say F1 drivers are as skilled as tennis players are kidding themselves on. At the end of the day, much of it is down to technology. And when you really get down to it, they are driving a vehicle.

It's not the same thing. Tennis is the same sport always. You are transitioning from one form of racing to another when you actually start with F1. Much of it may be the same, but there's undoubtedly a difference.

What a load of crap, the fact is the skills needed to be a good F1 driver are learnt from a young age from karting and moving your way up through the other types of racing.

Our man Murray, one of the best readers of the game, a mental talent, not physical. Aided by his physical talents certainly.

They don't have to be physical, but I take your point. However, what I was getting at is that a skill like reading the game is something you can hone. It comes with practice and experience. I don't think holding one's nerve is something that requires training. You either have the bottle or you don't.

Besides, you cannot bottle a race like you can a tennis match. There are far fewer things that can go wrong.